Baby dies after birth in alleged maternity fees apathy

A baby died after birth on Monday due to excessive bleeding in what its parents allege to be negligence by the Coast General Hospital (CGH) nurses over the scrapping of maternity fees.

Mrs Margaret Munavu said she lost her child after delivery partly due to negligence by the nurses.

However, Mr Allan Owino, Munavu's husband said his wife was discharged on Sunday after undergoing a medical scan without being told if she had developed any complication.

“My wife’s condition worsened a few hours after we arrived home in Mikindani. Earlier, I begged the nurses to admit her since she was due but I do not know under what circumstance she was discharged,” said Mr Owino.

“She started bleeding profusely and I brought her again. The baby was delivered through caesarean but I was informed that the child died after being suffocated by the mother’s blood,” he added.

Mr Owino said he regretted taking his wife to CGH and vowed not to return to such a facility to seek maternity services even though it was free as directed by the government.

Also, patients at the hospital said they would rather pay a minimum fee to support the programme if the government cannot buy items used in delivery such as cotton wool.

When contacted for comment, CGH Administrator Benard Mwero said he had not received any complaint of negligence but promised to investigate the matter.

He also urged patients to report cases of nurses demanding maternity fees.